Burning Fields

Hello everyone!

Sorry for the lack of post yesterday.  Wednesday night came and my bunk seemed to be the priority.  In my six trips to M.O.L. this has been the warmest by far.  We find ourselves very tired after clearing brush, stacking wood, and chainsawing.  To add to this task there are burning piles of brush and wood to burn out the stumps.  Occasionally these fires spread and require some attention from our local helpers.  The result is usually added heat and smoke that you can't seem to escape.  We leave the field at the end of our workday covered in ash, dust, bar oil and sawdust.  Steve and the ladies take the truck back which is much quicker.  After a 45 minute tractor ride Joshua and I arrive in camp and are greeted by the children that are being watched by Elizabeth and Briana while Deb and Denise facilitate bible study with the house-mothers.  We seem to forget our fatigue and find time to play before getting busy with other tasks.  It is such a joy to have the chance to get to know all of the children; Emanuel, Chimonia, Ruth, Genesis, Sanford, Wilson, Millium, Precious, Cecilia, Otavia, Salomie, Mainza, and Isaac.  The bible study being used is a chronological teaching of scripture.  It is designed to give the student a foundational approach to the teachings of the bible.  Jako is using it every Sunday as he travels to three different churches.  This study has been very effective with tribal people steeped in animism.  Please pray that God's word would reach deep into the hearts of those that participate in this study.  We know that eternity is at stake.

It is hard to believe that we only have two full workdays left.  We are hopeful that tomorrow will be a productive day at the stump farm and that new land will be opened up for more planting this spring (October).  While the sick sheep is on the mend and appears to be making a full recovery, a little lamb did not fare so well.  It wasn't able to get the nourishment it needed from it's mother and passed away today.  It is not always easy to keep an eye on the livestock as their pasture is rather vast.  A daily walk to check on them doesn't always reveal potential problems.  And, it's not just the livestock and crops that rely on our mission hosts.  People from the local community often call on them for health advice, or simple care.  They also employ teachers for the M.O.L. preschool, and offer piece work to locals when available.  The Lord's work is being done in many ways here.  It is humbling to be a small part of it.

Thank you for your continued prayers.  We feel them as we work and interact with the local people. 

In faith,

Ed